December 17, 2018

#044: The Final Countdown (with Carol Browning)

December 17, 2018

Zack Stachowski, Carol Browning, and Matt Reichert

With only one calendar week to go before Christmas, we thought we’d provide an opportunity for a little stress break. There are lots of things to be done this week and errands to be run. Today’s show, providing both conversation and musical selections, is something perfect to listen to while you fold worship aids, make those final copies, wrap your gifts, and so forth.

In place of our customary interview, today we are bringing you an audio program from the Open Your Hymnal podcast. Open Your Hymnal, cohosted by Zack Stachowski and by me, is a special project aimed at breaking open the best-loved and most-common liturgical music in the Catholic repertoire. Each episode explores one song and features conversation with the composer and, sometimes, special guests.

We are pleased to present today our interview with composer Carol Browning about her song “Creator of the Stars of Night,” incorporating one of the best-loved melodies of the Advent season. Composer Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,000-year-old chant hymn at the core of this piece. Plus, you’ll hear a bunch of great additional music in the OYH Playlist.

SHOW NOTES

For more information about Carol Browning and her other compositions, visit her composer pages at GIA Publications, MorningStar Music, and Liturgical Press.

You can purchase a copy of the score and a copy of the song recording for "Creator of the Stars of Night” from GIA Publications. You can also purchase the other song recordings you heard in this episode: Instrumental arrangement of “Gloria from Mass of Light” (David Haas), “Silent Night" (arr. Steve Petrunak), organ recording of “Creator of the Stars of Night” (arr. John Keys), "Conditor Alma Siderum" (traditional), "Ubi Caritas" (Carol Browning), "O God, Behold Your Family Here" (Bob Moore), “Christ, Circle Round Us" (Dan Schutte), “Peace be With Those” (Carol Browning), “Carol of the Dawn” (Janet Sullivan Whitacre), “Ave Generosa” (Ola Gjielo), and “People Look East” (arr. Marty Haugen).

You can listen to more episodes of the Open Your Hymnal podcast at www.openyourhymnal.com.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

December 10, 2018

#043: Finding Ways to Thrive During Advent

December 10, 2018

Today we continue the thread we began last week: Advent episodes meant to connect, to share, and – in some cases – to triage. In this series, you’ll hear practical tips, suggestions, and ideas to do more than just survive this busy season. Most importantly, you’ll hear from other pastoral musicians working in the “trenches,” just like you.

Last week we spoke with Andre Heywood, who shared with us his tips for choral vocal health during this time when extra singing meets “cold and flu season.” Today, you’ll hear from four different guests: Anna Betancourt, Orin Johnson, Matt Maus, and Teresa Yoder. All of them are music directors with at least one parish. All of them have additional responsibilities, such as leading other ensembles, teaching, or keeping another job. They all work in different parts of the United States, and they all answered the same questions, sharing their own perspectives, wisdom, and experience.

It is tempting to think of Advent as something to endure or get through. But, this approaches this important and holy time through a deficit lens. And, if we have been thinking of Advent in survival terms, it’s difficult to change when the season is already half over. So, you will hear our guests respond to two questions: What do you do in order to thrive during Advent? And, what can we do today to start thriving, too?

SHOW NOTES

For more information about about our guests, click on their names below:

The music you heard in today’s episode: “Creator of the Stars of Night” (Browning), and “Christ, Circle Round Us” (Schutte).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.

December 3, 2018

#042: Vocal Care, Advent Edition (with Andre Heywood, ft. Luke Rosen)

December 3, 2018

You and I both know how busy this time of year is. I’ve said it on this program before, and you are feeling it out there, working and rehearsing and planning and more. So, I won’t belabor the point. What I will say, however, is that we are here to help. One of the most consistent comments NPM hears from members is how valuable it is to be connected to other people doing similar work. It doesn’t feel so lonely or isolated, and it is helpful to discover best practices and to learn from one another.

So, over the next three weeks, we will be presenting Advent episodes meant to connect, to share, and – in some cases – to triage. You’ll hear practical tips, suggestions, and ideas. Most importantly, you’ll hear from other pastoral musicians working in the “trenches,” just like you.

To kick us off, we are beginning with Andre Heywood. An exceptional choral conductor and in-demand clinician, Andre will share with us his tips for choral vocal health during this time when extra singing meets “cold and flu season.” We’ll also hear an original Advent reflection from Luke Rosen in this week’s Ministry Moment.

SHOW NOTES

For more information about Andre Heywood, visit The Saint John’s Boys’ Choir. For more information about Luke Rosen, visit his website.

The music you heard in today’s episode: “Come, Emmanuel” (Tate), “Prelude: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (Tate), and “Christ, Circle Round Us” (Schutte).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode.